Interest in extension of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity to the University of Alabama
has its origins in 1930. With the successful revitalization of Phi Psi at Ole Miss, Phi
Kappa Psi was ready to expand in the South. At the 1960 Grand Arch Council (GAC),
the University of Alabama was one of several universities placed on an accreditation list
of desirable institutions for future expansion.
A fraternity had not been established at the University of Alabama since 1942.
The Interfraternity Council believed it was time for an addition to the Greek family. Phi Psi received an invitation to attend a meeting of the Interfraternity Council in February of
1962. Phi Psi’s president and vice-president made the presentation for a colony at the
University of Alabama. The fraternity’s vice-president, Louis D. Corson, West Virginia
Alpha ‘34, was the Dean of Men at the University from 1955-1957. Phi Psi was chosen
from a list of several fraternities.
The bother chosen to lead the organization of a new colony was John F. Ramsey, California Gamma ’28. Brother Ramsey had been a member of the University’s faculty since the 1930’s. The initial meetings of the groups were held in Brother Ramsey’s home. He served as the chapter and faculty advisor until 1977. Only John Ramsey’s failing health stopped him from serving the chapter.
In 1962, the Interfraternity Council unanimously accepted the Phi Psi colony.
The colony held its first meetings in the Student Union. Within a year, the colony was
able to move into a house that formerly held Sigma Alpha Mu. In the fall of 1963, the
colony moved into the former Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity house on 3 Marrs Spring Road.
This was the boost the fledging colony needed to achieve its goal of acquiring a chapter
charter.
On February 29, 1964, the Alabama Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Psi was founded. Alabama Alpha was the 62nd active chapter of Phi Psi and the 25th fraternity at Alabama.
The chapter began with twenty-four men. The installation team included Louis D.
Corson and Webb M. Mize. They were the current and immediate past presidents,
respectively of the fraternity. Many other fraternity officers and John Ramsey
participated in the initiation ceremony conducted at Canterbury Chapel on the University
of Alabama campus.
Over the next fifteen years, the chapter experienced many challenges and much
success. Eventually the challenges became too overwhelming and the chapter closed its
doors in the spring of 1979.
After the chapter was founded a period of growth began. The chapter held a “Phi
Psi 500” during the late 1960’s. This event helped the young chapter gain name
recognition on a campus rich with tradition. Membership increased from the low
twenties to fifty-two by 1970. The chapter also enjoyed several parties with sororities in
addition to theme parties. The chapter also performed numerous altruistic projects for the Partlow State School for mentally challenged children.
In 1977, John F. Ramsey retired from the University of Alabama after forty-two
years of service. The University honored Dr. Ramsey with a retirement banquet.
Hundreds of former students, faculty, administrators and co-workers were in attendance
to honor the end of a greatly loved man’s career. With the retirement of Dr. Ramsey and
his failing health, John H. Massingill III, (86), became chapter advisor.
Despite the youth of the chapter, the chapter did provide leadership to the national
fraternity and to itself. In 1976, John W. Harris, V (121) became the chapter’s first
member to serve the national fraternity. Brother Harris was appointed a chapter
consultant. With the retirement of Dr. Ramsey imminent, Dr. Ramsey chose members of
the house corporation’s first board of directors. Previously the board of directors had
consisted entirely of Dr. Ramsey.
The demise of Alabama Alpha was a slow process. After 1970, membership
began to dwindle. By the spring of 1972, membership had fallen to the mid-twenties.
The reasons behind the chapters demise are numerous. The cultural environment was
non-conformist and quite anti-establishment. Greek systems throughout the nation
suffered under this environment. The young chapter could not compete in this
environment.
The university itself was making many physical changes. With the mass exodus
of fraternities to the east side of campus, Phi Psi became one of the few fraternities on the west side of campus. A new road severely reduced the size of Phi Psi’s
backyard. The chapter’s neighbors either moved to the east side of campus or were
displaced by the new road. Marrs Spring Road became closed to through traffic.
Immediately after the chapter’s closing, the effort to revitalize began. The chapter
was able to keep its charter after the doors were closed. The revitalization effort began to bear fruit by the fall of 1980. Twelve men were initiated. The physical house was in
terrible disrepair. The initial group held meetings in a room owned by the Phi Kappa
Sigma fraternity. In the fall of 1992, this room became the “party room” for the chapter.
In the fall of 1982 the restoration of the fraternity house became complete. The
chapter house once again became the home for several members of Phi Psi. The
chapter’s membership had increased to the mid-twenties.
At Founder’s Day 1983, the chapter was treated with Dr. Ramsey’s last public
appearance. Within three weeks John F. Ramsey passed away quietly from heart failure
following his noontime Bloody Mary on Wednesday, February 16, 1983. Dr. Ramsey
was 75.
The years following the revitalization effort were prosperous. The chapter’s
membership grew nearly every year. The chapter was a perennially towards the top of
the Greek academic performance list. Campus involvement was common with the post-revitalization group. Several brothers served appointed positions with the Interfraternity
Council as well as the Student Government Association. The chapter reached its
numerical peak in the spring of 1992 with 45 members.
The chapter continued to mature and receive respect from the university and the
national fraternity. The chapter won numerous awards from the national fraternity. In
1984 Alabama Alpha received the Most Improved Chapter award. In 1988, the chapter
received an award for its excellence in risk management. In 1992, the chapter received
the Thomas Cochran Campbell Award for Ritual Exemplification. The most prestigious
award came in 1992, the Ralph D. Daniel Award for Chapter Excellence. Next to
Most Outstanding Chapter, this was the most prestigious award given to a chapter.
The chapter’s House Corporation was also recognized for its commitment to the
chapter. In 1984 the House Corporation won the Outstanding Achievement Award for
the restoration of the chapter house. The House Corporation received Honorable
Mention for Continued Excellence at the next four GAC’s.
The chapter produced several brothers whose leadership and service to the
fraternity gained recognition. In 1984, Alabama Alpha was represented on the
fraternity’s executive council. Richard H. Johnson (201), was elected Archon for District
4. In 1990, John H. Masingill (86), received the Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award.
Also at the 1990 GAC, Fred H. Clay, Jr.(66), was elected SWP (national treasurer).
Brother Clay had previously served the national fraternity as an appointed officer for
Fraternity Education and House Corporation Director. Between 1982 and 1992, five
members were initiated into the Order of the S.C.
The largest celebration in the history of the chapter was the 25th anniversary of
Alabama Alpha’s founding. Nearly 200 people including 75 alumni were in attendance.
The celebration was culminated with a banquet at the Sheraton Capstone Inn. Festivities
for the weekend included the initiation of ten new brothers. At the banquet thirteen of the
original twenty-four charter members were recognized. Three members of the
revitalization effort were recognized. Also recognized were all past chapter presidents,
the past Archon, the past chapter consultant, and the four chapter members of the Order
of the S.C. Special awards were given to Fred Clay and John Masingill in appreciation of
many years of loyalty, devotion, and service to the chapter. Maude H. Curry, a former
housemother who was dearly loved by many brothers was given a silver tray for the love
and devotion she generously gave to the chapter.
During the post-revitalization period the chapter enjoyed many traditions. The
annual Homecoming dinner at the University Club was a perennial favorite. The chapter
annually held several theme parties including Caveman, Elvis, and Australian Outback.
Redneck swaps with Kappa Delta were also favorites with the chapter.